Since the release of the Kindle App for iPhone and iPod Touch, I have been amazed by the total silence around its unavailability outside the USA. iTunes store simply says: Not available in the Dutch store (I am Dutch). On the whole www I hardly find any reference to this issue, this MobileRead Forum being one of very few exceptions.
I want to know the reasons behind it, are there copyright issues that have been solved in the US and not in Europe? That couldn't really be it, as the Kindle reader is available to a global audience.
In a post by a German contributor I read that Amazon tried to strike a deal with T-Mobile and another German mobile provider. I wonder what the hell these companies have to do with it! I have a mobile device allowing internet connectivity via wifi, and I have nothing to do with mobile telephone service providers!

Is it all caused by Apple's decision to strike an exclusive deal with T-mobile for the iPhone ? In the history of making useful technology, this was the WORST decision Apple has ever made.
Thanks for anyone being able to shed more light on the topic.
Also thanks for anyone pointing me in the direction of some or other shortcut, if you get my drift.
cheers, Jan

Actually, the Kindle app for iPhone can be obtained in Europe. But, like so much else about using the Kindle outside the States, you have to jump through a few hoops.

What you need to do is to go to iTunes, and select United States as your country (in the drop-down at the bottom of the screen when in the iTunes store). You must then set up a new account within iTunes. Use a different name from your usual account. You will need to give an American address, so find a State-side friend or colleague who is willing to let you use their address. You won't need to enter any credit card details.

Now go back to the iTunes Store and search for the Kindle app, which should be visible. Go ahead and "purchase" it. Don't worry. It's free, so you still won't need a credit card.

Now reset iTunes to your normally country. Connect your iPhone and sync it in the usual way.

The Kindle app will now appear on the iPod Home page. Open it. It will prompt you to register with Amazon. Do that, using the same Amazon ID and password to which your Kindle is registered.

You should now be able to access your Kindle books, download samples, and purchase new books, all from the iPhone (assuming, of course, you have a Kindle account). When downloading samples, the name of your iPhone will appear in the drop-down menu in the page from which you purchase the book.

I've been using the Kindle app on my iPhone Touch for the last two months without any difficulty.

I would guess that the non-availability is tied to the rights for publishing the books in other countries. It may not be Amazon, either; their current publishers may not have the rights to publish the books in other countries.

re: the Kindle being available globally. Is it? I thought that sales of the Kindle were tied to having a US billing address. I again guess this is for the same reason above -- they are only make sales "in" the US.

You can get content for the iPhone/iPod Kindle app only from the Kindle store so you also need a US Amazon account to download books. If you don't have a US Amazon account, then the app is kinda worthless which is probably why it's only available in the US.

Dear Mike and Wallcraft,
Thanks for the info! I get the picture of what needs to be done
I found I had no problems reading stuff on the iPod, in fact I like it, so it prompted me to decide I would try getting ebooks for the iPod rather than buying the still expensive Kindle device, which apparently is not officially available outside Europe either.
Isn't this something useful for the European Commission to spend some time on, ie. getting this crazy situation sorted out?

I've read a couple of short books on my iPod Touch. I wouldn't say it was a completely comfortable experience, but it wasn't that bad. If you've already got an iPhone or Touch, it's a good option compared to buying a Kindle.

The other day I jumped on a bus for a 65-minute journey, only to find I didn't have my Kindle or any books with me. Then I remembered I had Edgar Wallace's The Four Just Men on my Touch. I was completely absorbed in it, and if I hand't finished it I might have missed my stop. But that's more to do with it being an exciting story rather than anything to do with the iPod.

Re your point about the EC. I don't think this will fall within their remit. It's not as if Amazon are being anti-competitive. Just the opposite, in fact.

Just to let you know that I have read all Dan Brown's novels with Kindle app on my iphone. Very convenient because the phone is in my pant all the time! I read in the skytrain, coffee shop, waiting lines, rest room, on my bed, etc...

Yeah I noticed this last week when I mentioned it to an Australian friend and he couldn't get the app. Disappointing but hopefully soon publishers will work out the licensing nightmares and have global distribution.